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This vibrant exhibition presents a compelling visual archive of Notting Hill Carnival from the late 1970s to the present, as documented by British-Jamaican photographer Ian Watts. His photographs capture the essence of Carnival’s dynamic cultural expressions, while challenging the persistent marginalisation of its significance within broader socio-political narratives.
A dedicated carnivalist, Watts emphasises the necessity of representing the authentic spirit of Notting Hill Carnival, known colloquially among locals as “The Grove”, in a context where its historical and economic contributions remain frequently underestimated. This display follows his seminal 1986 Arts Council-sponsored exhibition Masquerading – The Art of The Notting Hill Carnival, co-curated with David Bailey and Sunil Gupta.
Join us for the exhibition’s opening night on 13th September. Grab your free ticket now!
Ian Watts is an esteemed photographer whose extensive body of work spans music, fashion, and political movements across the UK, Africa, and the Caribbean. His candid visual documentation includes prominent figures from the African and Caribbean diaspora, encapsulating the intersection of culture, politics, and identity. The accompanying soundscape for the exhibition, developed in collaboration with Blackmalebeats, enriches the exhibition’s narrative, offering an immersive engagement with the Carnival’s enduring legacy and its broader global significance.